Celebs going out on top

By Andy Olin

on August 21, 2013 9:42 AM

Photo: Weinstein Co.

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J.D. Salinger

The literary world’s most famous recluse published only three books (“Nine Stories,” “Franny and Zooey” and “Raise High the Roof Beam, Carpenters and Seymour: An Introduction) after “The Catcher in the Rye” came out in 1951. “Salinger,” a documentary about the writer, who died in 2010, is now playing in Houston.

The tremendous success of “Chappelle’s Show” proved to be a double-edged sword for the comedian, who shocked everyone when he bolted for South Africa in 2005, during the same month the show’s third season was set to premiere. Chappelle, who wanted stand-up comedy to be the priority in his career, claimed the show was “ruining his life.” Not long after his semi-retirement, he returned to stand-up. In August, Chappelle kicked off the Oddball Comedy & Curiosity Festival, headlining with Flight of the Conchords. The tour makes a stop in The Woodlands on Saturday.

Following huge success throughout the 1990s and a head-scratching dalliance with an alter-ego name Chris Gaines, Brooks retired in 2000 in order to spend more time with his family. Like a lot of celebrity retirement, it didn’t last. The country superstar returned to performing in 2009.

The Detroit Lions running back called it quits in 1999, having rushed for more than 15,000 yards in his career. Had Sanders continued to play, he likely would have passed Walter Payton, who held the career rushing record at the time. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2004.

Barry Sanders The Detroit Lions running back called it quits... Photo-5071902.68598 - seattlepi.com

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Mariano Rivera

At 43, the New York Yankees closer is still money, but he’ll retire at the end of this season. A few of the Major League Baseball records he holds are most career saves, most seasons with at least 25 saves and most career saves for a single winning pitcher, the Yankee's Andy Pettitte.

Mariano Rivera At 43, the New York Yankees closer is still... Photo-5071903.68598 - seattlepi.com

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Sandy Koufax

The Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers ace was a seven-time All-Star, a four-time World Series champ, a three-time Cy Young winner and a three-time triple crown winner. The lefty suffered from arthritis in his throwing elbow and decided to call it quits in 1966 at the age of 30. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1972 when he was 36.

Elway led the Denver Broncos to back-to-back Super Bowl victories in 1998 and ’99, including a 34-19 win over the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl XXXIII. He was named the game’s MVP and retired a few months later at age 38.

John Elway Elway led the Denver Broncos to back-to-back Super... Photo-5071905.68598 - seattlepi.com

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Michael Jordan

After three straight championships and NBA Finals MVP awards, MJ retired in 1993 at the age of 30 to give professional baseball a shot. It didn’t go well, and the Chicago Bulls superstar returned to basketball in 1995.